2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  2
• Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  310%
• 25k–50k
  1241%
• 50k–75k
  1241%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  27%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I am writing to formally request reimbursement for a timing chain replacement performed on my vehicle, which was the subject of a specific safety recall issued by BMW. The timing chain defect in this vehicle represents a severe safety hazard, as a failure can cause an immediate and total engine stall while the vehicle is in motion. This loss of power in traffic creates an 100% avoidable risk of collision. Despite BMW recognizing this defect through a prior reimbursement program, they are refusing to compensate for a safety-critical repair on a low-mileage vehicle (58,[redacted] miles) simply based on the car's age. At the time of repair, the vehicle had approximately 58,[redacted] miles. Although the vehicle is older, it was in storage for several years because the previous owner was unaware of the recall and lacked the financial means to address it. …

Took in for oil change, burning smell, and rattling sound when engine cold. I was given a list after they had a few days of: material failure of oil pan gasket, oil filter housing leak, turbo oil feed line leak, material failure of thermostat housing, material failure of water pump, and material failure of timing chain, timing chain guides, tensioner. I ended with a total repair cost of $4,666.30. Two weeks later I again have a burning smell and the trim covering the turbo charger cracks. I am told this is normal and it is just out of the 5 year warranty on this even though I have an extended cosmetic warranty. In December the check engine light comes on but goes off after I call dealer. I am told if it is off, May just be emmisions error. On 2/20/2015, my oil pressure light goes on, dealer has no openings until 2/23/15. …

In only 8 months of owning my Mini: rattling at a cold start and during slow driving, then began making a hesitating, jerk type movement when I accelerated, then began making a louder noise. No indicator lights ever came on and there was never any indication of any type of leak (no lights, no fluid on the ground, all fluid checks indicated proper levels). No maintenance was due. 41,817 miles on it when I purchased it, I put under 4,000 miles on it since, only drive 20 minutes daily to work and back. Timing belt tensioner failure and guides, parts fell into oil pan and oil leaking. Cost me out of pocket $3,000 in repairs since the extended warranty I bought from 'warranty solutions' refused to pay, claiming it was negligence on my part. 'warranty solutions' is a scam too, but that is a whole other complaint by itself. The turbo heat sheild was also missing on my car. …

After driving to work for 30 minutes, I parked my car. I thought I smelled something as I walked away, so I stopped an looked, but I did not see anything. Five minutes after walking into my building, someone told me my car was on fire. The first witness to see something (a co-worker) said he saw something on fire drop from the bottom of the car. When I ran outside, the car was putting off a significant amount of smoke. We tried to use a fire extinguisher, to no end, and within minutes we were seeing flames. Five minutes later, the front of the car was engulfed in fire. It was fast and hot. The fire department put it out, but it was a total loss. I have photo documentation of the event.

2009 Clubman Mini coop fuel pump keeps trying to die when driving.this can be very dangerous when driving on the freeway. It die on me trying to take it to the dealership on l45. Then when I get there they tell me it's older then 10 years.its still 10 years old. Now it won't even idol right when I start it unless I mess with gas pedal and give it more gas. I have a extended warranty letter that say 10 years or 120,000 miles this issue has been going on with Mini coop for weeks. I've talk to about 7 different people that tell me something different every time I call them. They just won't honor their extended warranty. They just don't care.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper s Clubman. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated she was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact's son had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with total engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to BMW of hudson valley (2068 south rd, poughkeepsie, ny 12601) where the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to pay 50% towards the part. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Driving car to work and died as I was going through an 4 way intersection, car was in motion with multiple vehicles around me. I had to get out and push the car out of the intersection and off the road. Tried to start with no success. Car was low on fuel so suspected it to be empty. Called insurance to send someone with gas but still wouldn't start. Got the car towed home and investigated fault. Found the chain tensioner to have failed causing timing of engine to change and cause piston to hit valves and break the rocker arms.

Car had a rattlle when cold. Had an appt. To have it checked on 5/19. Drove approximately 1 mile. Stopped at red light and car just died. I was in the left hand lane in heavy traffic. Car had to be towed. Dangerous situation. Timing belt broke. Told I need a new engine at a cost of $6,000. Have since read of many identical problems despite a good maintenance record. So far, Mini has not acknowledged knowing the timing belt was defective despite the fact it has occurred in cars one year after purchased new.

I parked my 2009 Mini Clubman after driving about 10 miles to the grocery store round trip and unloaded groceries, went back out to the car and it was smoking white smoke. Flames started shooting up from the engine over the windshield and it progressed from there. The smoke turned black all windows were blown out, front tires melted and blown and the car was declared an obvious total loss. It caught our home on fire and has caused more than $50,000 worth of damage. Please correct this problem.

This all started late 2009 or early 2010 when I started my Mini and it sounded like a diesel instead of a gas engine, after the car ran a few minutes the rattling sound dissipated. I continued to hear this daily during cold starts so I contacted a Mini dealer who instructed me that there was a recall in the works for faulty timing chain tensioners but the parts were not available yet so continue to drive it since if other things fail it is under warranty. After a few weeks the tensioners were replaced and everything sounded normal again. Then I received another recall notice concerning possible fires in the water cooler for turbo? Before I could get the vehicle in for the recall, in September of 2012 I noticed a very loud metallic rattle and extreme loss of power at 2,000rpm coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment and assumed it was the recall causing the issue. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Cooper S Clubman years